A ficus hedge (Ficus microcarpa 'Nitida', also sold as Indian laurel fig or ficus nitida) is the fastest way to build a tall, glossy green wall in Scottsdale. It grows about 2 feet a year, takes full sun and shears into a tight hedge. It also needs regular water, dislikes hard frost and has aggressive surface roots, so where you plant it matters as much as what you plant.
Ficus hedge at a glance
| Ficus nitida | |
|---|---|
| Growth rate | Fast, about 2 ft a year |
| Hedge height | Usually kept 5 to 20 ft; untrimmed trees reach 25 to 50 ft |
| Spacing for a hedge | 2 to 3 ft apart for a solid screen, 3 to 4 ft for a looser look |
| Sun | Full sun to shade. Avoid hot, reflective west walls. |
| Frost | Leaf burn starts near 28 to 30 F; serious dieback in the mid to low 20s |
| Water | Regular. Not on the ADWR Phoenix AMA low water use list. |
| Roots | Aggressive surface roots. Keep away from pools, slabs and walls, or use root barrier. |
Where a ficus hedge works in Scottsdale
- Along a long block wall with space in front. Leave room between the hedge and the wall footing, and use root barrier near anything you don't want lifted.
- East and north exposures. Ficus trunks sunscald on reflective west walls, and the exposed upper canopy can scorch in extreme heat (above about 117 F).
- Warmer lots. Central and south Scottsdale see fewer hard freezes than low spots in north Scottsdale, where cold air settles on clear winter nights.
- Yards with drip on its own valve. Ficus needs more water than the desert shrubs around it, so give it its own drip zone.
Where to choose something else
- Right next to a pool. Roots can crack decks and plumbing, and leaf drop ends up in the water. Look at our privacy tree guide for pool-friendly options.
- Hot west walls. Green Hopseed, Arizona rosewood and Texas sage take reflected heat with far less water.
- Frost pockets in north Scottsdale. Hopseed is rated to about 15 F and Texas mountain laurel to about 5 F, compared with ficus damage in the 20s.
- Narrow side yards. A ficus that wants to be 30 feet wide becomes a weekly trimming job. Dwarf Myrtle or an espalier fits better.
Planting a ficus hedge
- Measure the run and divide by your spacing. A 40 ft wall at 3 ft spacing takes about 13 plants.
- Plant in fall or early spring. Fall planting gives roots about 8 months to grow before May heat.
- Dig wide, not deep: about twice the width of the root ball and no deeper than it.
- Set drip emitters at the edge of the root ball and move them outward as the hedge grows.
- Water every 1 to 2 days for the first two weeks in summer (every 3 to 4 days in fall through spring), then stretch the interval over 8 weeks.
- Shape lightly in the warm months. Avoid hard cuts that open the canopy and expose trunks to sun, and skip pruning before a freeze.
Ficus from our shop
We sell two forms. The Indian Laurel Ficus Column is the hedge form, trained tall and narrow so plants knit together along a wall. The Indian Laurel Ficus Tree is a single-trunk shade and screening tree. Compare them with the rest of our evergreen privacy plants. For a broader look at screening shrubs, see our privacy hedges guide.
Ready to plant? Order at threetimbersshop.com and add planting at checkout. Delivery is free across the Valley on orders over $150. Our delivery team drops the plants off, our crew plants them the next day, and you don't need to be home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does a ficus hedge grow in Scottsdale?
About 2 feet a year with regular water. A row of 15-gallon plants spaced 2 to 3 feet apart usually fills into a solid screen within a couple of growing seasons.
How far apart should I plant ficus for a hedge?
2 to 3 feet apart for a dense hedge, or 3 to 4 feet for a looser screen. Closer spacing fills in sooner but means more trimming.
Will frost kill a ficus hedge?
Usually not, but it can brown badly. Leaves burn near 28 to 30 F, and several nights in the low 20s cause major dieback, as in the 2007 and 2013 freezes. Cover young plants on freeze nights and wait until spring to prune damage.
Are ficus roots a problem near pools?
They can be. Ficus nitida has aggressive surface roots that can lift paving and crack pool decks. Plant well away from pools and slabs or install root barrier.
Is ficus a low-water plant?
No. Ficus nitida is not on the ADWR Phoenix AMA low water use list and needs regular deep watering, especially in summer. If water use matters, hopseed or Arizona rosewood are better choices.
Is ficus safe for pets?
Ficus is considered toxic to animals if chewed. Our pet-friendly collection lists safer options.
Sources
- Arizona State University, Ficus microcarpa 'Nitida' (Chris Martin)
- Whitfill Nursery, Ficus nitida
- ADWR Phoenix AMA Low-Water-Use Plant List
- Water Use It Wisely, Fall is the new spring for planting
- City of Tempe, New tree care guidelines
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